Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senator Welcomed Back to the Senate

This video image provided by Senate Television shows Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. left, greeted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnelll of Ky., on the floor of the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007. Johnson returned to the Senate on Wednesday physically weaker but saying he anticipates running for re-election next year.

Sen. Johnson welcomed back to work

Dozens of staffers, photographers and reporters greeted Sen. Tim Johnson outside his Capitol Hill office Wednesday morning, his first day back at the office since suffering a brain hemorrhage last December.

Amid applause and cheers, Johnson mouthed the words “thank you,” as he moved along in a motorized wheelchair.

The South Dakota Democrat paused for photos with his wife, Barbara, and told the crowd, “I’m anxious to get back to work.”

Johnson, 60, was rushed to the hospital Dec. 13 after becoming disoriented during a late-morning conference call with reporters. He had emergency brain surgery hours later after being diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition that causes arteries and veins in the brain to grow abnormally large and sometimes break.

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D,, right, accompanied by his wife, Barbara, left, arrives at his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007.

Apparently, the Senator WILL run for re-election this next year which poses a dilemma for Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada), Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. Will the GOP be able to recruit and aggressively contend a Senate seat with such a sympathetic politician? Also, Johnson has amassed a re-election campaign fund of over $1.2 million.

Flap thinks it is overly optimistic that Senator Johnson will be able to serve, run for re-election and serve an additional six years in the Senate without some physical duress on the Senator.

Flap questions that when the filing period opens whether the Senator indeed runs.

Others feel otherwise and say he is a GO for another term.

We will see……..

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Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Iâ€™m Back

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson To Head Home to South Dakota

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Tim Johnsonâ€™s or Tom Daschleâ€™s Return?

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Condition Improves

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senatorâ€™s Condition Upgraded From Critical to Fair After Brain Surgery

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson is Improving But Still Requires Ventilator at Night

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson Remains in Critical Condition

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Johnson in Stable Condition After Brain Surgery

Senator Tim Johnson Watch: Senate Back to 50-50 Split?